|
Chapter 91 Sacrificing At River Lu, The Prime Minister
Marches Homeward; |
Meng Huo at the head
of the Mang Chieftains and Notables attended to do honor to the army of Shu on
its departure. They reached the River Lu in autumn, the ninth month. But on
trying to cross the river, a tremendous storm came and hindered them. Wei Yan having
reported his difficulty to Zhuge Liang, Meng Huo was asked if he knew of any
reason for such a storm.
Meng Huo replied,
"Wild spirits have always troubled those who would cross this river. It is
necessary to propitiate them with sacrifices."
"What is the
sacrifice?" asked Zhuge Liang.
"In the old
days when malicious spirits brought misfortune, they sacrificed humans to the
number of seven sevens and offered their forty-nine heads. They also slew a
black ox and a white goat. Sacrifice thus, the wind will subside and the waters
come to rest. The same used to be done to secure a plenteous harvest."
"How can I slay
a single person now that fighting is done and peace has returned?" said
Zhuge Liang.
Zhuge Liang went
down to the river to see for himself. The north wind was blowing hard, and the
waves were high. Both humans and horses seemed frightened. He himself was
perplexed. Then he sought out some of the natives and questioned them.
They said, "We
have heard the demons moaning every night since your army crossed the river.
The cries begin at dusk and continued till dawn. There are many dark demons in
the malarial vapors, and no one dared cross."
"The sin is
mine," sighed Zhuge Liang, "for more than a thousand soldiers of Ma
Dai perished in these waters beside many southern people. Their poor distressed
souls are not yet freed. Therefore I will come this night and sacrifice to
them."
"According to
the ancient rule the number of victims ought to be forty-nine. Then the spirits
will disperse," said the natives.
"As the
resentful demons are here because of the deaths of people, where is the sense
in slaying more humans? But I know what to do."
Zhuge Liang bade
them make balls of flour paste after the manner of human heads and stuff them
with the flesh of oxen and goats. These would be used instead of human heads,
and they called these 'mantou' or 'human heads'.
By nightfall, an
altar had been set up on the bank of the river with the sacrificial objects all
arranged. There were also forty-nine lamps. Flags were flying to summon the
souls. The forty-nine mantous were piled up on the ground. In the middle of the
third watch, at midnight, Zhuge Liang, dressed in Taoist garb, went to offer
the sacrifice in person, and he bade Dong Jue read this prayer:
"On the first
day of the ninth month of the third year of the era Beginning Prosperity of the
Han Dynasty, I, Zhuge Liang, Prime Minister of Han, Lord of Wuxiang, Imperial
Protector of Yizhou, reverently order this sacrifice to appease the shades of
those soldiers of Shu who have died in their country's service and those of the
southern people who have perished.
|
[e] Five Feudatories: Duke Huan of Qi, Duke Wen of Jin, Duke Xiang of Song, Duke Mu of Qin, and King Chang of Chu. [e] King Yu,
founder of Xia; King Tang, founder of Shang; King Wen, founder of Zhou. [e] Nine Regions
symbolized all the lands of the empire. Ancient China was divided into nine
regions. But over the time, more regions were created. During the Three Kingdoms
period, there were already more than nine regions. |
"I now declare
to you, O ye shades, the majesty of my master, the Emperor of the mighty Han
Dynasty, excelling that of the Five Feudatories* and brilliantly continuing the
glory of the Three Dynastic Kings*. Recently, when the distant south
rebelliously invaded his territory, contumeliously sent an army, loosed the
venom of their sorcery, and gave free rein to their savagery in rebellion, I
was commanded to punish their crimes. Wherefore my brave armies marched and
utterly destroyed the contemptible rebels. My brave soldiers gathered like the
clouds, and the insensate rebels melted away. Hearing of the easy successes I
won, they were entirely demoralized.
"My army
consists of heroes from the Nine Regions*, and officers and people are famous
in the empire; all are expert in war and skilled in the use of arms. They go
whither light leads them and serve the Emperor. All have exerted themselves to
obey orders and carried out the plans for the seven captures of Meng Huo. They
were whole-hearted in their service and vied in loyalty. Who could foresee that
you, O Spirits, would be sacrificed in the strategy and be involved in the
enemies' wicked wiles? Some of you went down to the deep springs wounded by
flying arrows. Others went out into the long night hurt by lethal weapons.
Living you were valorous, dead you left behind a name.
"Now we are
returning home. The victors' song is in our mouths and our prisoners accompany
us. Your spirits are with us still and certainly hear our prayers. Follow the
banners, come with the host, return to your country, each to his own village,
where you may enjoy the savor of the meat offerings and receive the sacrifices
of your own families. Do not become wandering ghosts in unfamiliar hamlets of
restless shades in strange cities. I will memorialize our Emperor that your
wives and little ones may enjoy his gracious bounty, every year gifts of food
and clothing, every month donations for sustenance. Comfort yourselves with
this provision.
"As for you,
Spirits of this place, shades of the departed people of the south, here is the
usual sacrifice. You are near home. Year-round sacrifice is not lacking. Living
you stood in awe of the celestial majesty, dead you come within the sphere of
refining influence. It is right that you should hold your peace and refrain
from uttering unseemly cries. With bowed head I pray you partake of the sweet
savor of this sacrifice.
"Alas, ye dead!
To you this offering!"
Zhuge Liang broke
into loud lamentations at the end of this prayer and manifested extreme
emotion, and the whole army shed tears. Meng Huo and his followers also moaned
and wept, and amid the sad clouds and angry mists they saw the vague forms of
many demons floating away on the wind till they disappeared.
The material portion
of the sacrifice was then thrown into the river. Next day the army stood on the
south bank with a clear sky over their heads and calm waters at their feet, the
clouds gone and the winds hushed, and the crossing was made without
misadventure. They continued their way, whips cracking, gongs clanging, spurs
jingling, and ever and anon the song of victory rising over all.
Passing through
Yongchang, Wang Kang and Lu Kai were left there in command of the four
territories---Yizhou, Yongchang, Zangge, and Yuesui. And then Meng Huo was
permitted to leave. He was ordered to be diligent in his administration,
maintain good control, and soothe and care for the people left to him to govern
and to see to it that agriculture was promoted. He took leave with tears
rolling down his cheeks.
When the army neared
Capital Chengdu, the Latter Ruler came out ten miles in state to welcome his
victorious minister. The Emperor stood by the roadside as Zhuge Liang came up,
and waited.
Zhuge Liang quickly
descended from his chariot, prostrated himself and said, "Thy servant has
offended in causing his master anxiety. But the conquest of the south was
long."
The Emperor took
Zhuge Liang kindly by the hand and raised him. Then the chariots of the Son of
God and his minister returned to Chengdu side by side. In the capital were
great rejoicings with banquets and rewards for the army. Henceforward distant
nations sent tribute to the Imperial Court to the number of two hundred.
As proposed in a
memorial, the Emperor provided for the families of the soldiers who had lost
their lives in the expedition, and they were made happy. And the whole land
enjoyed tranquillity.
Meanwhile in the
Middle Land, the Ruler of Wei, Cao Pi, had now ruled seven years, and it was
the fourth year of Beginning Prosperity in Shu-Han calendar. Cao Pi had taken
to wife a lady of the Zhen family, formerly the wife of the second son of Yuan
Shao. He had discovered Lady Zhen at the sack of Yejun and had married her. She
bore him a son, Cao Rui, who was very clever and a great favorite with his
father.
Later Cao Pi took as
Beloved Consort a daughter of Guo Yong in Guangzong. Lady Guo was a woman of
exceeding beauty, whom her father said, "She is the king among
women," and the name "Lady King" stuck to her.
But with Lady Guo's
arrival at court, Lady Zhen fell from her lord's favor, and the Beloved Consort's
ambition led her to intrigue to replace the Empress. She took Zhang Tao, a
minister at the court, into her confidence.
At that time the
Emperor was indisposed, and Zhang Tao alleged, saying, "In the palace of
the Empress has been dug up a wooden image with Your Majesty's date of birth
written thereon. It is meant to exercise a maleficent influence."
Cao Pi in his anger
forced his Empress to commit suicide; and he set up the Beloved Consort in her
place.
But Lady Guo had no
issue. Wherefore she nourished Cao Rui as her own. However, loved as Cao Rui
was, he was not then named heir by the Empress.
When he was about
fifteen, Cao Rui, who was an expert archer and a daring rider, accompanied his
father to the hunt. In a gully they started a doe and its fawn. Cao Pi shot the
doe, while the fawn fled. Seeing that the fawn's course led past his son's
horse, Cao Pi called out to him to shoot it. Instead the youth bursts into
tears.
"Your Majesty
has slain the mother. How can one kill the child as well?"
The words struck the
Emperor with remorse. He threw aside his bow, saying, "My son, you would
make a benevolent and virtuous ruler."
From this
circumstance Cao Pi decided that Cao Rui should succeed, and conferred upon him
the princedom of Pingyuan.
In the fifth month
the Emperor fell ill, and medical treatment was of no avail. So the chief
officers were summoned to the bedside of the Emperor. They were Commander of
the Center Army Cao Zhen, General Who Guards the West Chen Qun, and Grand
Commander Sima Yi.
When they had come,
the Emperor's son was called, and the dying Emperor spoke thus: "I am
grievously ill, and my end is near. I confide to your care and guidance this
son of mine. You must support him out of good feeling for me."
"Why does Your
Majesty talk thus?" said they. "We will do our utmost to serve you
for a thousand autumns and a myriad years."
"No; I know
that I am about to die," said the Emperor. "The sudden fall of the
gates of Xuchang this year was the omen, as I well knew."
Just then the attendants
said that General Who Conquers the East Cao Xiu had come to ask after the
Emperor's health. They were told to call Cao Xiu into the chamber.
When he had entered,
Cao Pi said to him, "You and these three are the pillars and cornerstones
of the state. If you will only uphold my son, I can close my eyes in
peace."
These were his last
words. A flood of tears gushed forth, and Cao Pi sank back on the couch dead.
He was forty years of age and had reigned seven years (AD 229).
The four ministers
raised the wailing for the dead and forthwith busied themselves with setting up
Cao Rui as the Emperor of Great Wei. The late Emperor received the posthumous
style of "Emperor Pi". The late Empress, the consort who had suffered
death, was styled "Empress Zhen".
Honors were
distributed freely in celebration of the new reign. Zhong Yao was made Imperial
Guardian; Cao Zhen, Regent Marshal; Cao Xiu, Minister of War; Hua Xin, Grand
Commander; Wang Lang, Minister of the Interior; Chen Qun, Minister of Works;
Sima Yi, Imperial Commander of the Flying Cavalry; and many others, conspicuous
and obscure, were promoted. A general amnesty was declared throughout all the
land.
About this time a
vacancy existed in the commandership of Yongzhou and Liangzhou. Sima Yi asked
for the post and got it. He left for his new office as soon as he had received
the appointment. All military affairs of the west were now under his command.
In due time the news
of all these doings reached Zhuge Liang and perturbed him not a little.
He was anxious,
saying, "Cao Pi is dead, and his son Cao Rui has succeeded him. But that
is not my concern. Only I am worried about Sima Yi, who is very crafty and skillful
in the art of war, and who, in command of all western forces of Yongzhou and
Liangzhou, may prove a serious danger to Shu. This Sima Yi ought to be attacked
at once."
Counselor Ma Su
spoke of this matter. "You, O Prime Minister, have just returned from an
arduous and exhausting expedition, and you should take time to recuperate
before you undertake such another. However, I have a scheme by which Cao Rui
may be brought to work the destruction of Sima Yi. May I lay it before
you?"
"What plan have
you?" said he.
"The young
emperor has no confidence in Sima Yi although Sima Yi is a high minister of
state. Now send someone secretly to Luoyang and Yejun to disseminate reports
that Sima Yi is about to rebel. Further, prepare a proclamation in his name and
post it up so as to cause Cao Rui to mistrust him and put him to death."
Zhuge Liang adopted
the suggestion.
Whence it came about
that many notices suddenly appeared, and one found its way to the city gate of
Yejun. The wardens of the gate took it down and sent it to Cao Rui. This is
what it said:
"I, Sima Yi,
Imperial Commander of the Flying Cavalry, Commander of the Forces of Yongzhou
and Liangzhou, confident in the universal principles of right, now inform the
empire, saying:
"The Founder of
this Dynasty, Emperor Cao, established himself with the design of recurring the
empire to the Lord of Linzi, Cao Zhi. Unfortunately, calumny spread abroad, and
the Dragon Ruler could not manifest himself for many years. Emperor Cao's
grandson, Cao Rui, does not follow a virtuous course, though sitting in the
high place, and has not fulfilled the great intention of his ancestor. Now I,
in accordance with the will of Heaven and favoring the desires of the people,
have decided upon a day to set my army in motion in order to secure the wish of
the people. When that day arrives, I call upon each one to gather to his lord,
and I will destroy utterly the family of any who shall disobey. You are hereby
informed that you may all know."
This document
frightened the young Emperor, and he turned pale. At once he called a council
of his officials to consider it.
Hua Xin said,
"That was the reason for his having requested the commandership of
Yongzhou and Liangzhou. Now Emperor Cao, the Founder of Great Wei, frequently
said to me that Sima Yi was ambitious and hungry, and should not be entrusted
with military authority lest he harm the state. This is the first beginning of
rebellion, and the author should be put to death."
Wang Lang said,
"Sima Yi is a master of strategy and skilled in tactics. Moreover, he is
ambitious and will cause mischief if he be allowed to live."
Wherefore Cao Rui
wrote a command to raise an army, which he would lead to punish the minister.
Suddenly Cao Zhen
stood forth from the rank of military officers and said, "What you advise
is impossible. His Late Majesty, Emperor Pi, confided his son to the care of
certain officers of state, of whom Sima Yi is one, wherefore it is certain that
he felt sure of Sima Yi's probity. So far nothing is known certainly. If you
hastily send an army to repress him, you may force him into rebellion. This may
be but one of the base tricks of Shu or Wu to cause dissension in our midst so
that occasion be found to further their own aims. As no one knows, I pray Your
Majesty reflect before you do anything."
"Supposing Sima
Yi really contemplates a revolt. What then?" said Cao Rui.
Cao Zhen replied,
"If Your Majesty suspects him, then do as did Liu Bang the Supreme
Ancestor of Han when, under pretense of taking a trip on the Lake Yunmeng, he
summoned his vassals---and seized Han Xin, who had been denounced. Go to Anyi;
Sima Yi will assuredly come out to meet you, and his actions and demeanor may
be watched closely. He can be arrested if needed."
Cao Rui changed his
mind. Leaving Cao Zhen to regulate the affairs of state, the young Emperor went
out with the Imperial Guards, to the number of one hundred thousand, and
traveled to Anyi.
Ignorant of the
reason of the Emperor's coming, and anxious to show off his dignity, Sima Yi went
to welcome his ruler in all the pomp of a commander of a great army of one
hundred thousand.
As Sima Yi
approached, the courtiers told the Emperor, saying, "Sima Yi's defection
is certain since such a large army can only mean that he is prepared to resist."
Whereupon Cao Xiu,
with a large force, was sent in front to meet him. Sima Yi thought the Imperial
Chariot was coming, and he advanced alone and stood humbly by the roadside till
Cao Xiu came up.
Cao Xiu advanced and
said, "Friend, His Late Majesty entrusted you with the heavy
responsibility of caring for his son. Why are you in revolt?"
Sima Yi turned pale,
and a cold sweat broke out all over him as he asked the reason for such a
charge. Cao Xiu told him what had occurred.
"This is a vile
plot on the part of our rivals, Shu and Wu, to cause dissension," said
Sima Yi. "It is a design to make the Emperor work evil upon his ministers
that thereby another may profit. I must see the Son of Heaven and
explain."
Ordering his army to
retire, Sima Yi went forward alone to the Emperor's chariot.
Sima Yi bowed low
and said, weeping, "His Late Majesty gave me charge of his son. Could I
betray him? This is a wile of the enemy. I crave permission to lead an army,
first to destroy Shu and then to attack Wu, whereby to show my gratitude to the
late Emperor and Your Majesty and manifest my own true heart."
However, Cao Rui did
not feel quite convinced, and Hua Xin said, "In any case withdraw his
military powers and let him go into retirement."
And thus it was decided.
Sima Yi was forced to retire to his native village. Cao Xiu succeeded to his
command, and Cao Rui returned to Luoyang.
The news was soon
reported to Shu. Zhuge Liang rejoiced when they told him of the success that
had attended the ruse.
"Sima Yi and
the forces he commanded in Yongzhou and Liangzhou have been the obstacles in my
long-wished-for attack on Wei. Now he has fallen, I have no more anxiety."
At the first great
assembly of officers at court, Zhuge Liang stepped forth and presented to the
Ruler of Shu a memorial on the expedition he contemplated.
"The First
Ruler had accomplished but half his great task at his death. At this moment the
empire is in three parts, and our country is weak; it is a most critical moment
for us. Still, ministers are not remiss in the capital, and loyal and devoted
soldiers sacrifice their lives abroad, for they still remember the special
kindness of the First Ruler and wish to show their gratitude to him by service
to Your Majesty. Therefore it would be indeed fitting that you should extend
your holy virtue to glorify his virtuous memory in the stimulation of the will
of your purposeful officers. Your Majesty should not lose yourself in the
pursuit of mean things, quoting phrases to confound the eternal principles of
rectitude, and so preventing remonstrance from honest people. One rule applies
to the palace of the Emperor and the residence of a courtier; there must be one
law rewarding the good and punishing the evil. Evil-doers and law-breakers, as
also true and good people, should be dealt with according to their deserts by
the officers concerned in order to manifest Your Majesty's impartial and
enlightened administration. Partiality is wrong, as is one law for the court
and another for the regions.
"The High
Ministers Fei Yi, Guo Youzhi, and Dong Yun are honest men, devotedly anxious to
be loyal to the last degree; wherefore His Late Majesty chose them in his
testament. My advice is to consult them in all palace matters, great or small,
before taking action. Your Majesty will reap the enormous advantage of having
any failings corrected.
"General Xiang
Chong is a man of well-balanced temperament, versed in military matters, to
whom, after testing him, the late Emperor applied the epithet 'capable'. The consensus
of opinion is that Xiang Chong should be Grand Commander. My advice is to
consult him in all military matters, great or small, whereby your military
forces will yield their maximum, each one being employed to the best advantage.
"Attract worthy
people; repel mean ones. This policy achieved the glory of the Former Hans,
while its reversal ruined the Latter Hans. When the late Emperor was with us,
he often discussed this with your servant, and he took much to heart the story
of Emperors Huan and Ling.
"The Chair of
the Secretariat Chen Zhen, Commander Zhang Si, and Minister Jiang Wan are both
incorruptible and enlightened people, honest to the death. I wish that Your
Majesty should have them near and hold them in confidence. If this be done,
then the glory of the House of Han will be quickly consummated.
"I was
originally a private person, a farmer in Nanyang, concerned only to secure
personal safety in a troubled age and not seeking conversation with the
contending nobles. His Late Majesty, the First Ruler, overlooking the
commonness of my origin, condescended to seek me thrice in my humble cot and
consult me on the trend of events. His magnanimity affected me deeply, and I
consented to do my utmost for him. Then came defeat, and I took office at a moment
of darkest outlook and at a most difficult crisis. This is twenty-one years
ago. The First Ruler recognized my diligent care, and when dying he confided
the great task to me. From that day I have lived a life of anxiety lest I
should fail in my trust and so dim his glory.
"That is why I
undertook the expedition to the lands beyond the River Lu. Now the Southern
Mangs has been quelled, and our army is in good condition. I ought to lead it
against the north, where I may meet with a measure of success in the removal of
the wicked ones, the restoration of Han, and a return to the old capital. This
is my duty out of gratitude to the late Emperor and loyalty to Your Majesty. As
to a discussion of the pros and cons and giving a true version of the whole matter,
that belongs to Guo Youzhi and Fei Yi and Dong Yun. I desire Your Majesty to
confide to me the task of slaying the rebels and restoring the Hans. If I fail,
then punish me by telling the spirit of the late Emperor. If you know not what
restoration implies, that is the fault of your advisers.
"Your Majesty
should take pains to be guided into the right path and examine carefully what
is laid before you, carefully remembering the late Emperor's testament.
"I cannot
express what would be my delight if you had the goodness to accept and act on
my advice.
"Now I am about
to depart on a distant expedition, I write this with tears and clearly know
what I have said."
The Emperor read it
through and said, "My Father Minister, you have only just returned from a
distant and fatiguing expedition against the Southern Mangs. You are not yet
refreshed, and I fear this march to the north will be almost too much even for
you."
Zhuge Liang replied,
"The heaviest responsibility lies upon me, the well-being of Your Majesty
confided to me by the First Ruler. My efforts may not be relaxed night or day.
The south is at rest, at home is no anxiety. What better time could be hoped
for to destroy the rebels and recover the Middle Land?"
Forth from the ranks
of courtiers stood Minister Qiao Zhou and said, "I have studied the aspect
of the stars. The northern quarter is brilliant and strong. The scheme will not
speed."
Then turning toward
the Prime Minister, he continued, "You, O Prime Minister, understand the
mysteries of the skies. Why do you oppose the stars?"
"Because the
stars are in infinite changes," replied Zhuge Liang. "One may rely on
the stars too much. Moreover, I have already sent the army into Hanzhong, where
I shall act as soon as I have studied what is afoot."
Qiao Zhou pleaded in
vain. Zhuge Liang was too strongly set upon his purpose to yield. So Guo
Youzhi, Dong Yun, and Fei Yi were ordered to attend to matters in the Palace;
Xiang Chong was to control all military affairs and became Grand Commander;
Jiang Wan was made Military Adviser; Chen Zhen became Chair of the Secretariat;
Zhang Si, Controller of the Prime Minister's palace; Du Qiong, Imperial Censor;
Du Wei and Yang Hong, Ministers; Meng Guang and Lai Min, Libationers; Yin Mo
and Li Zhuan, Academicians; Xi Zheng and Fei Shi, General Secretaries; Qiao
Zhou, Chief Secretary; and others to the number of over a hundred, all to
manage the administration of Shu in the absence of Zhuge Liang.
Having received his
Emperor's command to lead an expedition against the north, Zhuge Liang returned
to his palace and summoned the officers of the army to listen to the orders.
And they came, and to each was appointed a duty in the great army:
|
Front Army Commander---Wei Yan |
Li Yan was given the
task of guarding the passes against Wu from the southeast.
Zhuge Liang was the
Commander-in-Chief of the Northern Expedition.
All being ready, a
day was chosen for the start: The fifth year, the third month, on the day of
"tiger".
After the
appointments had all been made, there came forward a veteran who had listened
in vain for the duty assigned him.
|
[e] Lian Po commander-in-chief of Zhao in the Warring States period, who made Zhao a powerful state. Liu Xiangru, the Prime Minister of Zhao, was his good friend. ..... [e] Ma Yuan (BC
14-AD 49) a general who first served Wang Mang, then join Liu Xiu in
restoring Han Dynasty. In his life of career, Ma Yuan contributed much to Liu
Xiu's success by putting down rebellions throughout the empire and abroad. ..... |
"Old I may
be," said he, "yet have I still the valor of Lian Po* and the heroism
of Ma Yuan*. Why am I thought useless any more than these two who refused to
acknowledge old age?"
It was Zhao Yun.
Zhuge Liang said,
"I have lost my friend Ma Chao by illness since I returned from the
Southern Expedition, and I feel as I had lost an arm. Now, General, you must
own that the years are mounting up. Any slight lapse would not only shake the
life-long reputation of yourself, but might have a bad effect on the whole
army."
Zhao Yun replied
bitterly, "I have never quailed in the presence of the enemy from the day
I first joined the First Ruler. I have ever pressed to the front. It is a happy
ending for a person of valor to die on the frontier. Think you that I should
resent it? Let me lead the van, I pray."
Zhuge Liang used all
his skill to dissuade the veteran, but in vain.
Zhao Yun was set on
it, saying, "If you, O Prime Minister, do not let me lead the van, I will
smash my head on the floor and die at your feet."
At last Zhuge Liang
yielded, saying, "General, you can have the post of Van Leader, but you
must choose a colleague to support you."
"I will go to
help the Veteran Leader!" cried Deng Zhi, without a moment's hesitation.
"I am not worth much, but I will help lead the attack on the enemy."
Accordingly five
thousand of veterans were chosen for the advanced guard, and with them, to
assist Zhao Yun, went Deng Zhi and ten other generals.
After the vanguard
had set out, the main body marched by the north gate, the Latter Ruler himself
going to see his minister start. The farewell was taken three miles from the
gate, in the face of the grand army with its banners and pennons flaunting in
the wind, and spears and swords gleaming in the sun.
Then they took the
road leading to Hanzhong.
Naturally, this
movement was duly reported in Luoyang at a court held by Cao Rui, when a
minister said, "A report from the border stations says that Zhuge Liang
has marched three hundred thousand troops into Hanzhong. Zhao Yun and Deng Zhi
are leading the advanced guard."
The report alarmed
Cao Rui, and he asked, "Who can lead an army to repel the advance?"
At once out spoke
one, saying, "My father died in Hanzhong, and to my bitter resentment his
death is unavenged. Now I desire to lead the army against Shu, and I pray that
the armies west of the Pass may be given me for this purpose. I shall render a
service to the state, as well as taking vengeance for my father. I care not
what fate may befall me."
The speaker was
Xiahou Yuan's son, Xiahou Mao. He was by nature very impulsive and also very
miserly. When young he had been adopted by Xiahou Dun. When Xiahou Yuan was
killed by Huang Zhong, Cao Cao was moved and married Xiahou Mao to one of his
daughters, Princess Qinghe, so that he was an Imperial Son-in-Law. As such he
enjoyed great deference at court. But although he held a military commission,
he had never been with the army. However, as he requested the command, he was
made Commander-in-Chief of the western armies and was ready to march.
But Minister of the
Interior Wang Lang spoke against the appointment, saying, "The appointment
is wrong. Xiahou Mao, the Son-in-Law, has never seen a battle and is unsuitable
for this post, especially when his opponent is the clever and crafty Zhuge
Liang, a man thoroughly versed in strategy."
"I suppose you
have arranged with Zhuge Liang to be his ally," sneered Xiahou Mao.
"Ever since I was a boy, I have studied strategy, and I am well acquainted
with army matters. Why do you despise my youth? Unless I capture this Zhuge
Liang, I pledge myself never again to see the Emperor's face."
Wang Lang and his
supporters were silenced. Xiahou Mao took leave of the Ruler of Wei and
hastened to Changan to get his army in order. He had two hundred thousand
troops from the western areas.
The next chapter
will deal with this campaign.
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